"We are aware of the situation and are gathering information," Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said in a release. "We will withhold comment until we know all the facts."

Bowers was a second-round draft choice by the Bucs out of Clemson in 2011.

The 6-foot-4, 288-pounder became a starter late in his rookie season.

Last year, Bowers was sidelined for six games after suffering an Achilles injury during the offseason.

He returned to action for the team's week 8 game against the Minnesota Vikings. He played in 10 games in 2012 and finished with 13 tackles and three sacks.

The NBC report said Bowers was arrested at a check-in counter after he was found with a loaded .40 caliber gun in his carry-on bag, according to spokesmen for the Port Authority and the Queens District Attorney's office. He was scheduled to board a flight to Raleigh, N.C.

The Tampa Bay Times reported security did not find the weapon but Bowers voluntarily turned it over to the authorities. That didn't matter, however.

New York is known to have some of the toughest gun charges in the nation.

If convicted, Bowers could face up to 15 years of prison, although a plea deal or a pre-trial intervention would reduce that.

It is not the first time a Tampa Bay Bucs player has been arrested on gun charges.

Two years ago, former Tampa Bay cornerback Aqib Talib was charged in Texas with assault with a deadly weapon but those charges were later dropped.